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Coccinella (carmonia) picta — Rand. (The Pointed Lady-bird.) 



Of small size, broadly oval or sub orbicular in form, length about 

 three-twentieths of an inch. It is of a pale, clay yellow or straw 

 color; the thorax with numerous minute dots and markings of black; 

 a black stripe along the middle of each wing-case, that on the one 

 being connected with the other by two cross bands. 



Larva dark, sooty brown, with a pale yellow stripe on the back. 



Anatus 15-punctata — Oliv. (The Fifteen-spotted Lady-bird.) 



This is our largest lady-bird, being about one-third of an inch long, 

 and hemispherical in form. Head black, with two yellow spots in 

 it near the hind margin ; the yellow borders have a black notch in 

 them near the posterior corners ; wing-cases a dull brownish-yellow, 

 with seven black dots on each, and one near the suture at the front. 

 But this species varies greatly in its markings and color; the spots 

 on the elytra fading in different specimens through every grade from 

 that described to none, or so obscure as to be indistinguishable; the 

 markings on the thorax vary to a similar degree; the ground color 

 varies from cream color, through chocolate yellow to deep dirty brown. 

 Larva jet black, with a paler stripe along each side and six rows of 

 long spines. 

 Chilocorus bivulxerus — Muls. (The Twice Stabbed Lady-bird.) 



This species, which is such an efficient aid in destroying the pine- 

 leaf and other scale insects, is about one-fifth of an inch long, almost 

 perfectly hemispherical in shape, of a deep, polished black color, with 

 a single blood-red spot on each wing-case. The larva is a dark gray 

 short grub, covered with spines or prickles. 



In addition to these there are several other species that are found in 

 Illinois, all possessing similar habits to those named, but these will 

 suffice to illustrate the family characters so that a species belonging 

 to it may be known whenever seen. 



Tbe larvae are rather short, somewhat thickened grubs, with numer- 

 ous prickles or spines, not in a single row along the side as in Cassidtf. 

 but several rows; they are sometimes gaily colored, but usually rather 

 dull. They usually undergo their transformations on the plants 

 where they seek their prey. 



